Last month, Ontarians were toasting news that the province would soon allow beer and wines sales in some grocery stores, but now oenophiles have been told to put a cork in it.

By now you've seen and heard about the April 1 launch of BC Wine Institute's first "wine on grocery shelves" BC VQA wine store: Wines of British Columbia Save-On-Foods South Point in South Surrey. It represents the first time in BC that a BC VQA wine store operating agreement has been granted to a grocer, which we believe is a positive step forward in enhancing the effectiveness of these unique, direct from farm retail sales licences.

It's a new year in the Okanagan and as the sap begins to push, the dreams of most producers turn to thoughts of the best growing season ever. Much has changed over the last decade but if you are thinking the wines are better than ever it is more than that

If Ontario allows beer and wine sold in supermarkets, liquor should be too, says Spirits Canada

"I would say the Shores of Erie, that weekend is as good as a month of sales here in retail," said Stephen Mitchell, the president of the Sprucewood Shores Winery and the Essex and Pelee Island Coast Growers Association. Kelly O'Rourke, the director of the festival, said the economic benefit on the region was $2.8 million in 2014, based on the Ontario Tourism Regional Economic Impact Model (TREIM).

Depth of snow means vineyard crews haven't been able to get out into the fields to prune and tie up the viines

Under it's far-reaching liquor policy changes, the province is proposing to to put into play a limited number of VQA licences, which will allow grocery stores, like Houser's East Vancouver Super Valu, to sell made-in-B.C. wine.

Ontario may soon allow its restaurants, clubs and pubs to sell beer for home consumption. In the whole Canada, there are only six provinces that allow these establishments as part of their liquor license to sell beer for home consumption.

The industry group Restaurants Canada says six provinces, including Quebec and British Columbia, already allow restaurants and bars to sell beer for home consumption as part of their liquor licences.

"We're way up from last year," said Andy Gebert, co-owner. "I think it's the good weather in the Okanagan, everybody likes to come and take in spring. After the winter it's nice to see visitors coming back and enjoying the Okanagan with all the great restaurants and of course the wine."

The Okanagan region of British Columbia yields successful wines

The Shores of Erie International Wine Festival has been cancelled, according to the event's director, Kelly O'Rourke. She would not give any further details.

California wine is coming to Ottawa

Restaurants Canada wants to change all that by bringing what's known as "off-sales" to the province, which means allowing licensed restaurants to sell beer, wine and cider to patrons who want to take it home.

New rules designed to 'level playing field' come under fire, cause confusion but prices not expected to change much for consumers

The B.C. government has launched an era of wine sales in grocery stores with a pilot project in a Surrey supermarket touted for being convenient to customers, but criticized as a measure that will doom independent liquor retailers.

The Lake Ontario Wine Trail will host their annual "Roll out the Barrels" wine tasting event on Saturday and Sunday April 11th & 12th where guests can sample young wines and spirits at each of the participating wineries/distillery.

Progressive Conservative leadership rivals Christine Elliott and Monte McNaughton also favour change. Brown says he wants details of the Liberals' plan to expand sales.

A new policy from the provincial government may accidentally kill Canadian whisky icons such as Canadian Club, Wiser's, Crown Royal, Gibson's and, more recently, Forty Creek. It will certainly reduce your choice as a consumer.

Sometimes the traditions sounded downright Old Testament